Samoa: 2019 Measles - 83 deaths

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/400998/infant-dies-in-samoa-amid-measles-scare

Infant dies in Samoa amid measles scare
8:56 am on 15 October 2019

The mother of a one-year-old has told media in Samoa that her son who was highly suspected of having measles has died.

The boy had been confined for a week at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital at Motootua isolation unit for patients suspected of having measles.

He died on White Sunday.

The mother told the Samoa Observer that her son was first admitted last Monday.

The Ministry of Health Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Tagaloa Robert Thomsen, said the Ministry could not confirm the cause of the child's death, or even if the child was infected with measles until conclusive testing had been completed...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://timesofoman.com/article/207...ares-measles-epidemic-after-7-confirmed-cases

Samoa govt declares measles epidemic after 7 confirmed cases
October 16, 2019 | 12:51 PM
by Xinhua

Suva: The Samoan government declared on Wednesday that the country is now facing a measles epidemic after seven confirmed cases from samples sent to Australia for urgent testing.

According to the Samoa Observer, the confirmation comes after the Samoan newspaper said the health authorities reported 16 suspected cases and the death of a one-year-old baby boy on Sunday.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Samoan Ministry of Health (MOH) said 28 specimens of suspected measles cases were sent to Victorian Infectious Disease Reference Laboratory in Melbourne, Australia on 30 September.

The results of 12 cases were received over the weekend with four confirmed cases -- one adult and three children, who were treated and released without complications, according to the ministry...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://reliefweb.int/report/samoa/...esenting-until-20-october-2019-date-report-21

Situational Update No. 1: Measles cases presenting up until 20 October 2019 (Date of report: 21 October 2019)
Report from Government of Samoa
Published on 21 Oct 2019

Key points

• As of 20th October 2019 there have been 169 suspected measles cases with 7 confirmed cases, 82 laboratory results pending.

• To date, there has been one reported death of a 14 month-old baby highly suspected measles awaiting laboratory confirmation; child is unvaccinated

• Of the 169 cases, 53% are children below 4 years old and 20% are 20-30 year olds

• 91% (153) of suspected cases reside in Upolu and 9% (16) in Savaii

• 30% (49) of the 169 suspected cases have been admitted with majority of admissions in TTMH Paediatric ward; majority of the cases have recovered and discharged with 9 currently admitted at the Paediatric ward and 2 at Acute 8 of TTM Hospital. No admissions or lab confirmed cases reported from Savaii

• Suspect Case Definition for case finding is any person in whom a clinician suspects measles infection, or, any person with fever and maculopapular rash and cough, coryza or conjunctivitis...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/worl...om-measles-in-samoa-including-two-babies.html

Three suspected dead from measles in Samoa, including two babies
22 minutes ago
Jamie Ensor

Two babies and a 37-year-old are suspected to have died from measles in Samoa.

Samoa's Ministry of Health said on Wednesday night (NZ Time) as of October 27, there were 15 confirmed cases of measles and 314 suspected.

A 14-month-old, eight-month-old, and 37-year-old have died, with the ministry saying the deaths are suspected to be measles-related...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://reliefweb.int/report/samoa/...resenting-until-3-november-2019-date-report-5

Situational Update No. 3: Measles cases presenting up until 3 November 2019 (Date of report: 5 November 2019)
Report from Government of Samoa
Published on 05 Nov 2019

Key points

As of 4 November 2019 there have been 513 suspected measles cases with 48 laboratory confirmed cases.

To date, there has been three measles-related mortality; a 14-month old an 8-month old; and a 37-year old, all highly suspected measles and all awaiting laboratory confirmation

Of the 513 suspected cases, 62% are children less than 5 years of age; 10% age 5-14 years; 15% age 15-24 years; 7% age 25-35 years; 6% age 35 and above and 1% age not recorded.

83% (370) of suspected cases reside in Upolu and 15% (73) in Savaii;...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/403059/uncertainty-continues-amid-samoa-measles-epidemic

Uncertainty continues amid Samoa measles epidemic
10:59 am today

Uncertainty continues to surround recent deaths suspected to be linked to the measles epidemic in Samoa.
Surgical face masks are now becoming a common sight in the shops and streets of Apia as the community responds to the measles alert.

Surgical face masks are now becoming a common sight in the shops and streets of Apia as the community responds to the measles alert. Photo: RNZ Pacific / Jenny Meyer

A one-year-old twin has died, whose older brother died five days earlier.

The Samoa Observer reports the grief sticken parents buried two of their three children together on Saturday after the siblings failed to respond to hospital treatment after showing clinical signs of measles.

When contacted the Samoa Ministry of Health told RNZ Pacific the current death toll from measles could not be confirmed.

Last week, the suspected death toll was four people, three young children, including the two-year-old boy, and a 37-year-old man.

The latest news of the twin girl's death brings the unconfirmed total of measles related deaths to five but the real number could be higher.

Meanwhile, the Australian laboratory helping to identify the strain of measles virus, and offer a diagnosis on the causes of the deaths, says it can not speak publicly but has completed testing of samples sent from Samoa...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.rnz.co.nz/international...cted-measles-deaths-in-samoa-health-authority

Seven suspected measles deaths in Samoa - health authority
10:38 am on 13 November 2019

Health authorities in Samoa say they have registered seven deaths suspected to have been caused by the measles virus.
Posters warning about measles in Samoa.

Director General of Health Leausa Dr Take Naseri said of the seven, most were young children.

As of Monday, 628 suspected measles cases had been recorded with 48 confirmed so far...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://globalnews.ca/news/6181779/samoa-measles-outbreak-schools/

Samoa shuts schools after measles outbreak kills 6
By Nick Perry The Associated Press
Posted November 17, 2019 10:23 pm

Samoa has closed all its schools, banned children from public gatherings and mandated that everybody get vaccinated after declaring an emergency due to a measles outbreak that has so far killed six people.

For the past three weeks, the Pacific island nation of 200,000 people has been in the grip of a measles epidemic that has been exacerbated by low immunization rates.

Schools were closed from Monday after the government declared an emergency on Saturday. The National University of Samoa also told students to stay home and said exams scheduled for this week had been indefinitely postponed.

Health authorities said most of those who died are under the age of 2. They counted 716 measles cases reported, with nearly 100 people still hospitalized with 15 in intensive care...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12286333

Samoa measles outbreak claims life of 15 children
19 Nov, 2019 7:49am

At least 15 children in Samoa are now reported to have died from measles or its complications as the epidemic takes hold in Samoa.

The Samoa Observer says two independent sources have confirmed that 15 children and one adult died from measles-related complications in either the intensive care unit or the emergency department of the hospital.

The figure given by the National Emergency Coordination Centre is 15 measles-related deaths.

Two of the latest deaths were prematurely born babies, one to a mother who had the clinical symptoms of measles.

The Samoa Observer also reports that the five-year-old twin children of the only adult to have died from measles so far have also died. The second child died last Saturday.

Director General of the Ministry of Health Leausa Dr. Take Naseri said a pregnant woman lost her unborn child, but denied that the mother was a confirmed case measles, only suspected...

 

[Pathfinder]

Government of Samoa
? 12 hrs ?

(PRESS RELEASE 4) 19 November 2019

LATEST UPDATE ON THE MEASLES OUTBREAK

(NATIONAL EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTRE); The Ministry of Health confirms a total of 1,174 measles cases have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team, since the outbreak started. There were 114 cases recorded in the last 24 hours.

To date, 16 measles related deaths have been recorded with one fatality in the past 24 hours, a 7 month old from Savaii.

Approximately 98% of measles cases are in Upolu, and notably concentrated in the Vaimauga West and Faleata West District with about 92% admission rates highest in children below the age of 5 years.

There are currently 189 measles cases who are in-patients at all health facilities. Of this, 159 are at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTMH), 3 at the Malietoa Tanumafili II Hospital (MTIIH) and 27 admitted in other rural district hospitals. Of the 27 cases, 22 are at the Leulumoega Rural District Hospital.

NEOC continues to be the focal point for all information with strong collaboration and advice from MOH on all other efforts for the duration of the Emergency Period.

Please direct all enquiries to the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) on telephone number 997, and 911 for Emergencies.

---ENDS---

https://www.facebook.com/samoagovt/...DuchbqF8XXxWJ0Nz462L_1pWPnTJ821mJtEz4&fref=nf

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Samoa reels from measles outbreak, death toll rises to 20
The Pacific island has declared a state of emergency and closed schools as it tries to contain the outbreak.

The death toll from a measles epidemic in Samoa has risen to 20 as the outbreak rages out of control, with hundreds of new cases emerging daily, official data released on Friday showed.

The government said on Friday that there were 1,644 cases, 202 of which were diagnosed since Thursday, mostly affecting young children.
...
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019...reak-death-toll-rises-20-191122073627777.html

Government of Samoa
Yesterday at 12:08 AM ?
Govt. issues New Orders of State of Emergency

GOVT. PRESS SECRETARIAT; The following new orders of State of Emergency as prescribed by the Constitution’s Articles 105/106 are in effect immediately.
The new orders is to further support the Government’s drive to detain the Measle Epidemic in the country and include a number of new compulsory mandates.
The new orders are as follows;

1) VACCINATIONS - The Government of Samoa reinforces the Head of State Order of 15th November 2019, for compulsory national vaccinations, starting first with the prioritized target age groups:

a. All persons aged 6 months to 19 years old; and

b. Non-Pregnant Females aged 20 to 35 years.

2) NATIONAL VACCINATION – It is confirmed that older age groups will also be vaccinated, once the prioritised vulnerable target age groups, are completed.

3) TRAVEL RESTRICTON - No child under the age of 19 can travel between Upolu and Savaii, until further notice.

4) OFFICAL ANNOUNCEMENTS - For all official Government releases and information in relation to the Measles Epidemic, the Government Press Secretariat is the official medium of communication.

5) PREGNANT MOTHERS – Henceforth:

(a) that any pregnant mother is prohibited from attending her place of employment (whether public or private sector) except if she was vaccinated before her pregnancy; or
(b) that any pregnant mother is prohibited from attending her place of employment (whether public or private sector) if she is in doubt about her status of vaccination before pregnancy.

6) INCREASE OF AGE TO 19 YEARS FOR ALL ORDERS:

With reference to the Emergency Order dated 16 November 2019, issue the following revised Orders:

(a) all organized public gatherings must not include the presence of children up to the age of 19; and

(b) that unless a child requires medical attention or assistance, a child up to the age of 19 is prohibited from entering any medical facility.

The orders was signed this afternoon after consultations with Cabinet by Member of the Council of Deputies, Le Mamea Lemalu Su’a Tuiletufuga Eatuavao Ropati Mualia acting in the absence of the Head of State.
https://www.facebook.com/samoagovt/...DuchbqF8XXxWJ0Nz462L_1pWPnTJ821mJtEz4&fref=nf

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-11/23/c_138578166.htm

Death toll in Samoa's measles outbreak rises to 22
Source: Xinhua| 2019-11-23 18:45:48|Editor: xuxin

SUVA, Nov. 23 (Xinhua) -- The Samoan government confirmed two more deaths on Saturday, bringing the death toll in the island nation's measles outbreak to 22 since mid-October this year.

According to a government statement, Samoa's Ministry of Health said that 22 measles-related deaths have been reported with two fatalities in the past 24 hours.

The ministry confirmed that a total of 1,797 measles cases have been recorded by the Disease Surveillance Team so far, with 153 cases reported in the last 24 hours.

Most of the measles cases are in the island of Upolu, where the Samoan capital of Apia is located in. About 92 percent of current measles admissions are children, including 11 ill children in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU)...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-11/25/c_138582233.htm

Death toll in Samoa's measles outbreak rises to 25
Source: Xinhua| 2019-11-25 17:59:56|Editor: mingmei

SUVA, Nov. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Samoan government confirmed three more deaths on Monday, bringing the death toll in the island nation's measles outbreak to 25 since mid-October.

According to a government statement, Samoa's Ministry of Health said that 25 measles related deaths have been reported in the island nation.

The ministry confirmed that a total of 2,194 measles cases have been recorded to the Disease Surveillance Team so far, with 144 cases reported in the last 24 hours.

Most of the measles cases are in the island of Upolu, where the Samoan capital of Apia is located in. There are currently 183 measles cases who are in-patients at all health facilities.

Currently, the South Pacific island nation is in a state of emergency, with all schools closed, a mass vaccination campaign underway and public gatherings in the nation restricted...

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Babies worst affected as Samoa measles deaths rise to 32

Issued on: 26/11/2019 - 06:50
Modified: 26/11/2019 - 06:48


Wellington (AFP)

The death toll from a measles epidemic in Samoa rose to 32 on Tuesday as infection rates continue to soar out of control in the Pacific island nation, official data showed.

According to government figures, 28 of the dead were children aged four or under. The total number of measles cases was 2,437.

Samoa has declared a state of emergency but overstretched medical services are struggling to contain the outbreak, which has been exacerbated by the country's low vaccination rates.
...
https://www.france24.com/en/20191126-babies-worst-affected-as-samoa-measles-deaths-rise-to-32

 

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-11/27/c_138587043.htm

Death toll in Samoa's measles rises to 33
Source: Xinhua| 2019-11-27 15:54:36|Editor: Shi Yinglun

SUVA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Samoan government confirmed on Wednesday that there is another death in Samoa's measles epidemic, bringing the death toll to 33, all but four of the deaths are children under the age of four, including one who died in the past day.

According to a government statement on Wednesday, Samoa's Ministry of Health said that a total of 2,686 measles cases have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team so far, with 249 cases recorded in the last 24 hours.

There are currently 193 measles cases who are in-patients at all health facilities...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/404352/samoa-measles-epidemic-death-toll-reaches-39

Pacific Samoa
28 Nov 2019
Samoa measles epidemic: Death toll reaches 39
1:29 pm on 28 November 2019


There's been another six deaths in Samoa's measles epidemic, bringing the toll to 39.

All but four of the dead are children under the age of four, including the six who died in the past 24 hours.

And 190 people with the disease remain in hospital, including 25 critically ill children and pregnant women...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.rnz.co.nz/international...asles-epidemic-samoa-s-death-toll-rises-to-42

Measles epidemic: Samoa's death toll rises to 42
1:52 pm on 29 November 2019

There have been three more measles-related deaths in Samoa, taking the toll to 42 since the outbreak began in October.

The government said there had also been 3149 measles confirmed cases of the disease, more than 200 of those in the last 24 hours.

Nearly 200 people are currently hospitalised with measles, including 20 critically ill children in intensive care.

A mass vaccination campaign is underway with dozens of New Zealand and Australian nurses in Samoa to assist.

Samoa's top health official has said the epidemic is yet to peak...

**********************************************************************************

Source: https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12289525

Samoan measles outbreak: 70 deaths projected and 6500 infected
29 Nov, 2019 3:56pm
By: Emma Russell
Emma Russell is a health reporter for the New Zealand Herald

As Samoa struggles to get a grip on a lethal measles outbreak already claiming 42 lives, New Zealand experts predict the worst is yet to come. Health reporter Emma Russell explains.

More than 70 people - including toddlers and babies - are expected to die in Samoa's escalating measles epidemic, health experts predict.

In the next three weeks, it's likely 6500 people will be infected by the highly contagious disease - 3 per cent of the country's population...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://erccportal.jrc.ec.europa.eu/#FlashAnchor

Samoa – Measles outbreak update

• The Government of Samoa reports a total of 44 deaths and 3,357 cases of measles. There have been 208 new cases in the last 24 hours.
• Vaccinations are ongoing and since 20 November a total of 54,046 individuals have been vaccinated.
• The EUCPM was activated on 29 November based on the request for assistance from WHO.
• In response to this request France has already sent a medical team, a Norwegian medical team will depart to Samoa on Sunday 1 December.
• WHO is ensuring the coordination of international teams closely with the Ministry of Health. Vaccination and other public health measures are being scaled up.

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/404574/samoa-measles-death-toll-now-48

Samoa measles death toll now 48
6:54 pm on 1 December 2019

The death toll in Samoa's measles epidemic has risen to 48, with another four people dying this weekend.
No caption

Most of the dead are children under four years old, and the number of infections in that age group is still on the rise. More than 1700 children less than four years old are infected with the disease.

At Lalomanu District Hospital nurse Selwyn Amataga said many parents who had been initially apprehensive about vaccinating their children are now coming forward to ensure they get the jab...

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Samoa to shut government to deal with deadly measles outbreak
By Joshua Berlinger and Carly Walsh, CNN

Updated 3:49 AM ET, Mon December 2, 2019

(CNN)The government of Samoa will shut its doors Thursday and Friday and redeploy civil servants to help deal with a deadly measles outbreak, Prime Minster Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi announced in a special address Monday.

Fifty-three people -- 48 of them children younger than 4 -- have been killed by the disease in the South Pacific island nation in recent weeks, the government said in a news release. A total of 3,728 cases had been recorded as of Monday, according to the government. None of the victims were vaccinated, Tuilaepa said.
The decision to shut government services for two days is the latest in a series of drastic steps Samoan authorities have taken to stop the outbreak of a disease that was thought to be almost eliminated globally, but has made a dangerous comeback in recent years.
...
https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/02/health/samoa-measles-intl-hnk/index.html

NATIONAL EMERGENCY OPERATION CENTRE: (PRESS RELEASE 16) December 2, 2019

UPDATE ON THE MEASLES OUTBREAK

The Ministry of Health confirms a total of 3,728 measles cases have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team, since the outbreak started. There were 198 recorded in the last 24 hours.

There are currently 183 measles cases who are in-patients at all health facilities. Of this, 155 are at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTMH), 4 at Poutasi District Hospital, 1 at Lalomanu District Hospital, 18 at the Leulumoega Rural District Hospital, 3 at the Malietoa Tanumafili II Hospital (MTIIH), 1 at Sataua District Hospital and 1 at Safotu District Hospital. Admissions include 19 critically ill children in ICU/HDU and 2 pregnant women and 1 postnatal at TTMH.

The total number of measles cases admitted to all hospitals recorded for the outbreak to date is 1,129. Of that, 893 (79%) patients have been discharged.

To date, 53 measles related deaths have been recorded, with 5 fatalities in the last 24 hours.

VACCINATION UPDATE:

A total of 32,743 vaccinations were completed before the Mass Vaccination Campaign. Of these, the age groups are outlined below:
 6months to 4 years – 4222
 5 to 19 years – 14,145
 20 to 39 years – 9,283
 40-49 years – 3058
 50+ - 2035

Since the activation of the Mass Vaccination Campaign on 20 November 2019, the Ministry has successfully vaccinated 58,150 individuals, of that 43,529 were vaccinated in Upolu and 14,621 in Savaii.

NEOC continues to be the focal point providing collaboration and operational coordination amongst all stakeholders, with advice and technical guidance from MOH for the duration of the Emergency Period.

Please direct all enquiries to the National Emergency Operation Center (NEOC) on telephone number 997, and 911 for Emergencies.

---ENDS---

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